MONTY reckons the US Ryder Cup team are showing how serious they're taking the 2014 competition by appointing Watson captain but insists Europe shouldn't fear him.

COLIN MONTGOMERIE has urged Europe to forget about trying to compete with the stature of Tom Watson when appointing their Ryder Cup captain.

The Yanks have turned to one of the most revered golfers on the planet, proving they mean business ahead of the 2014 contest at Gleneagles.

Watson, who was never on the losing side as a player and also skippered the Yanks to victory at the Belfry in 1993, was last week named as captain again.

That move instantly gave the Americans a boost but Monty claims it shouldn’t affect the selection process on this side of the Atlantic.

Darren Clarke and Paul McGinley are battling it out for the honour – with the former currently favourite to land the post due to his higher profile across the pond and the fact he is a Major champion.

But while golfing politics dictate nobody will come right out and say it, there is a general consensus on tour that McGinley is much more officer material.

Montgomerie, skipper of the winning European team in 2010, said: “The Americans have put quite a lot of importance on the captain, otherwise they wouldn’t have selected Tom.

“They have been very astute in that decision. It might be regarded as a risk but he will have the popular support in Scotland and the respect too.

“He’s up there with Jack Nicklaus when it comes to having stature and the fact he won four of his five Opens in Scotland will be a big factor.

“Has it changed our view of who we should put up against him? It shouldn’t because irrespective of who the Americans have selected we should be picking the best man for the job.

“We can’t suddenly say he’s no good because of what America have done.

“The Americans felt they had to do something different and it could well be a coup.

“It will put a wee bit of extra pressure on our captain, especially in all the stuff that leads up to the Ryder Cup.

“Tom’s stature is second to none and you need someone who can liaise with people, speak to them and not be intimated. But all that goes down to the best man for the job, whoever that might be.

“There’s a betting thing going on, which I disagree with, and Darren is favourite having won a Major. He would be classified as that as we stand because of his stature, against Tom’s stature.

Tom Watson

“But there’s a vote starting off in Abu Dhabi next year going through to Dubai. This is the first committee vote between two candidates. McGinley has been very good at the Seve Trophy and as Ryder Cup member. He was very good when I was captain and I believe it was the same with Jose Maria Olazabal.

“It goes back to this best man for the job business. Just because it’s your turn doesn’t necessarily mean it will be you.

“Brian Kidd was a good No.2 at Manchester United but when he left Sir Alex Ferguson it was clear he was a No.2.

“There are people who are meant to be in charge and those who are meant to be assistants.”

Monty’s Ryder Cup days may now be behind him but he is fast forging a new career as one of the best commentators around.

The 49-year-old has taken to his role as a Sky Sports analyst like a duck to water although he has already been in trouble with his bosses for slagging off Tiger Woods at the Ryder Cup.

He said: “I’m treated very well by Sky and I enjoy keeping in touch with the game and giving an opinion.

“But I was a bit harsh on Tiger at the Ryder Cup – although Butch Harmon said he can take it. I was criticising him when I heard a couple of voices in my ear telling me to calm down and saying: ‘That’s enough Monty.’

“I didn’t hear it the first time so I said it again. Tiger was walking past a Cactus bush when it caught him on the leg and I said it looked like he had been tackled by Norman Hunter.

“I forgot I was getting a bit old and people were tweeting: ‘Who the hell was Norman Hunter?’

“I’m there to give an opinion but the producer was on my earpiece telling me to calm down.

“I’m still very wary because it’s a difficult position I’m in.

“I still have to share a locker room with these guys when I play at tournaments.”

Monty with the Ryder Cup at St Andrews' Old Course

Montgomerie also revealed how he has been making the most of his position with Sky. Indeed, almost every moment off camera is spent picking the brains of co-commentators Harmon and Ewan Murray, arguably two of the most respected coaches in golf.

He said: “Ewan has been helping. When we have adverts on Sky he is teaching me .

“Ewan has been great and of course I’ve been spending time with Butch. I’ve been with Butch now for a couple of years, although I only see him three or four times a year.

“As a player, it’s difficult not to ask him for help. He can give me a sense of a feeling, he can switch something around and make it feel right.

“Coaches are the guys who can explain a situation very well and Butch has given me a great deal of advice.”

The Scot has dropped outside the world’s top 500 and is honest enough to admit his game is not good enough to be competitive.

But he can’t wait to strut his stuff on the Seniors Tour next year.

Monty added: “I turn 50 in June and I’m looking forward to getting that feeling I used to have on the first tee of a Euro Tour event, where I believed I could win. That is how I felt. I believed if I played well I could win.

“If I’m being honest I don’t do that now on the first tee of a European Tour event.

“I can’t put my ball down on the first tee believing I can win – and I wish I had that feeling. I’m not there.

“If I get my game in shape and get right up for the British Seniors at Birkdale, a biggy for me, I could put my tee in the ground and say: “I can win this.” I’d like that feeling again.”